A star of hope

Unraveling the history of the parol and how this beloved Christmas ornament became a Filipino staple

- By POCH EULALIA

Parols serve as the vivid reminders of the joyous holiday celebrations during the 'ber months.

Everywhere we look, they shine brightly, strung up along lamp posts, storefronts, and houses. As we start to find more lanterns lining the streets, let's delve into the history of how the parol became a staple in Filipino Christmas decor.

Spanish colonial ties

It was during the Spanish colonial era that parols were said to have been first used as a way to light the way for churchgoers off to the Christmas novena procession. Lanterns were also used by actors for the Panunuluyan custom, where folks reenact Joseph and Mary's search for lodging to give birth to Jesus. Once the procession was finished, the lanterns would be hung up on people's homes. These early lanterns were made using Japanese paper and bamboo.